What's the best WiFi router for your home?

Last updated: March 2026

It may be obvious, but quite possibly the most essential item when it comes to having fast, reliable internet access is your WiFi router. In the modern work-from-home era, having robust internet in every corner of our home (and yard!) is more important than ever. That is why we have started to shift to mesh networks, which allow a series of devices to stretch the WiFi signal across a large home.

Most internet providers will lease you a basic router, and for a small home, that may be perfectly fine. But sometimes you need something better: something that reaches farther, something that's more reliable, or something you aren't paying a monthly fee for. That's where my recommendations come in.

I almost universally recommend Eero because, while they don't have a plethora of features, they are extremely fast, easy to set up, reliable, and secure. If you have very specific needs, you will know that, and this guide is not for you.

Eero 7 comparison

All models use WiFi 7 and include a 3-year warranty. Prices are MSRP as of March 2026.

	Best for most homes	Best for demanding homes	Best of the best
Model	Recommended Eero 7	Pro Eero Pro 7	Upgrade Eero Max 7
Best for	Everyday browsing, streaming, and video calls.	Work-from-home offices, gigabit internet plans, homes packed with smart devices, or families with heavy simultaneous use.	Multi-gigabit internet plans, home servers, or anyone who wants the absolute fastest speeds available.
WiFi standard	WiFi 7, dual-band (2.4 + 5 GHz)	WiFi 7, tri-band (2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz)	WiFi 7, tri-band (2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz)
Max wireless speed	1.8 Gbps	3.9 Gbps	4.3 Gbps
Ethernet ports	Two 2.5 GbE	Two 5 GbE	Two 10 GbE + Two 2.5 GbE
Max coverage per Eero	2,000 sq ft	2,000 sq ft	2,500 sq ft
Devices supported	120+	200+	250+
1-pack	$170	$300	$600
2-pack	$280	$550	$920
3-pack	$350	$700	$1,360
Where to buy	Amazon · Best Buy · Target	Amazon · Best Buy	Amazon · Best Buy · Target

All models include Thread, Zigbee, and Matter smart home hub support (Alexa only; not compatible with Apple Home). Eero 6 products are still available but not recommended for new purchases.

How many should you get? One Eero covers about 2,000 square feet (2,500 for the Max 7), but those numbers assume ideal conditions, which generally means a home with standard drywall interior walls. Walls made of brick, plaster, or cement can dramatically reduce WiFi signals, so a home built with those materials may need an extra unit or two. Homes with odd shapes or long, narrow layouts may also need more Eeros than the square footage alone would suggest, since the signal has to travel farther to reach the ends. On the other hand, don't overdo it: if Eeros are too close together (less than about 30–40 feet apart), they can actually interfere with each other. For a small drywall home, a single unit is usually enough. For a larger home, start with a 2-pack and add more if needed. You don't have to buy them all at once; you can always add another Eero later. The only downside is that you might miss out on the multi-pack discount.

Other Eero products

Eero PoE system (for new construction and renovations): PoE stands for Power over Ethernet, which means the access points get both their internet connection and their electrical power through a single Ethernet cable, so you don't need a power outlet at each location. This is aimed at high-end setups where Ethernet has been wired into the walls or ceilings during construction. It starts at $700 for the PoE Gateway plus $300–$500 per ceiling or wall-mountable access point (PoE 6 at $300 or PoE 7 at $500). This requires proper wiring and planning, so if you are interested, we should talk and look at blueprints.

Eero Outdoor 7 ($400): A weatherproof Eero designed to extend your WiFi outside. A single unit covers up to 15,000 square feet outdoors, and it can handle rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Great for security cameras, detached offices, or backyard streaming. It extends your existing Eero network and requires at least one indoor Eero as the gateway.

Eero Signal ($100): A small device that plugs into any USB-C powered Eero (WiFi 6 or newer) and automatically switches your network to a cellular connection if your internet goes down. A 5G version is expected later in 2026 for about $200. Cellular backup data is bundled with an Eero Plus subscription. Worth considering if you work from home or depend on your connection for security cameras.

Some notes about Eeros

Mixing and matching: You can combine any Eero with any other Eero, even across generations (WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 together). Though sometimes a slower device may become a bottleneck, so it's generally better to have all of the same model.

Gateway and topology: One Eero must be connected directly to your modem or ONT (your incoming internet connection) via an Ethernet cable. This is called the gateway. Any other wired devices (additional Eeros, cameras, etc.) should be connected to the second port of your gateway Eero, either directly or via an Ethernet switch. The switch should not go between the modem and the gateway Eero.

Spacing: A good rule of thumb is two walls or floors between any two Eeros. Heated flooring, full-wall mirrors, plaster (the old-fashioned kind with chicken wire, not drywall), and exterior walls can count as two floors or walls.

Hardwire or wireless: While an ideal setup would be for every Eero to be hardwired with Ethernet to the gateway Eero, for many people, that's not possible. The beauty of a mesh network is that it will work well over wireless, too. You can even mix: maybe you can wire the second Eero, but not the third.

All Eero Ethernet ports are live. You can plug a wired device into any Eero in your mesh to get it onto your network, even if that Eero connects to the rest of your mesh wirelessly.

If the LED lights are too bright, they can be adjusted or disabled in your Eero app. Very useful in a bedroom.

Note for Verizon FiOS customers

If you do not have Verizon TV service, you can replace your Verizon Gateway with an Eero system by connecting the Eero directly to your ONT. If you do have Verizon TV service, a Verizon Gateway is required so that your cable boxes can retrieve the program guide. The Eero can be used alongside the Verizon Gateway, but it does require some configuration to keep them from competing and causing problems. Eero's own support documentation recommends setting up the Eero behind the Verizon Gateway in a double NAT configuration and then putting the Eero into bridge mode. You can find the full instructions on Eero's Verizon FiOS setup page. I have heard that a MoCA adapter can get you around this requirement, but I haven't tried it myself yet.

Note for AT&T Fiber customers

AT&T requires that you use their gateway device (it combines the modem and router into one box). If you want to use an Eero, I recommend putting your AT&T gateway into IP Passthrough mode so that the Eero handles the routing while the AT&T device handles the fiber connection. If you also have AT&T TV service, do not disable the WiFi on the AT&T gateway, as some TV features require it. You can find step-by-step instructions on Eero's AT&T setup page and AT&T's IP Passthrough guide. This setup can be a bit involved, so it's one of those things where having someone walk you through it can save a lot of headaches.

Note for Comcast Xfinity customers

If you have a Comcast-supplied all-in-one router and modem (a gateway) I recommend putting it into Bridge Mode or replacing it with your own modem. Xfinity has instructions for this on their Bridge Mode support page. Note that Xfinity's newest fiber gateway (the XB10) does not support bridge mode as of early 2026. If you have separate modem and router devices, the Eero can replace the existing router, and you will keep your modem in place.

Some missing features

Eero is designed to be self-maintaining, so it lacks some features that power users may expect, such as channel selection, separate SSIDs per band, web-based administration, VLANs, and manual software updates. If you don't recognize these features, don't worry about it. They are for people who know what they are.

Ethernet ports: If you need more Ethernet ports than your Eero provides, you can use the ports on additional Eero nodes, or you can add a switch. The exception is the Eero PoE Gateway for high-end setups, which has 10 ports.

Optional subscription

While most Eero users don't pay monthly fees, there is an optional Eero Plus subscription at $9.99/month or $99.99/year, which adds several features. Most people do not pay for these, but if you do need them, they are very handy.

• Parental controls

• Ad blocking

• VIP support

• Internet backup via Eero Signal (10 GB/year included; 100 GB/month available with the $200/year tier)

• DDNS

• Known phishing and malware blocking

• WiFi scheduling

• Data usage history

• 1Password Families subscription

• Malwarebytes for 3 devices

• VPN powered by Guardian

What about standalone WiFi extenders?

You may have seen WiFi extenders from companies like TP-Link and Netgear. While they work, the biggest problem is that you end up with two separate networks and have to manually make sure your devices are connected to the right one, depending on where you are in the house. Mesh networks like Eero handle this for you automatically.

Further help

If you are an existing customer or are interested in becoming a client, I invite you to book an appointment with me. I offer one-on-one tech tutoring sessions in San Francisco and Washington, DC, as well as remote sessions via Zoom. Whether you need help choosing the right Eero setup for your home, configuring it with your internet provider, or troubleshooting a WiFi problem, I can help.

If you decide on an Eero system, you should allow me to set it up for you. As an Eero-certified Pro Installer, I have access to tools that allow me to better diagnose problems for all of my customers, but it requires that the network be set up by me initially. Setup does not always require a house call. In many cases, I can help you set it up remotely.